I have extremely high cholesterol and triglyceride levels secondary to protease regimen, which otherwise has been very effective in restoring much of my diminished health and vitality, as well as chasing viral load into hiding for nearly five years. So I don't want to change my cocktail. But I am worried about continuing such a heart-threatening treatment for so long. I am on both Lipitor and Tricor, which help some. My doctor suggested that I consider Niacin, and check it out. I did, and have just one concern: how serious is the interaction of Niacin with other drugs I take, especially Warfarin (anti-coagulant) and the statins mentioned above?

Response from Dr. Henry

Niacin is a potentially attractive drug to add to what you are receiving to lower your lipids. If you and your doc wish to use niacin then a careful trial following your anticoagulation parameters, liver, and muscle blood tests would be worth considering. Niacin has received little study to date in this setting but I have heard from many clinicians who are using it and are not observing a worrisome rate of side effects. It does have to be dose escalated with careful management. The potential interactions with statins /Warfarin/etc. are serious but so is poorly controlled high lipids so a careful trial in your case may well be warranted.
Keith Henry, M.D.

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